Long Beach honors country's veterans

More than 100 residents joined local officials and community leaders in Kennedy Plaza on Friday morning to honor servicemen and women who have bravely served in the Armed Forces.

Master of Cermonies Robert Costigan, a commander at Long Beach’s American Legion Post 972, led the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, held by the Joint Veterans Organization. Young Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts gripped small American flags, which blew vigorously in the wind.

“It really is incredible that we’re joined by so many young people, many of which are wearing their own uniforms,” City Manager Jack Schnirman told the crowd. “We often hear people talk about idols and heroes and who to look up to, and for many here, it may be an actor, an athlete, or a character like Batman or Superman. The truth is, our veterans are our real-life citizen superheroes.”

City Council Vice President Anthony Eramo, Councilwoman Anissa Moore and County Legislator Denise Ford also spoke, as the ceremony ended with a firing salute and placing a wreath in front of the Plaza’s World War II monument.

“Let us remember our veterans,” said Ford. “For those that are here with us today, those that are in hospitals, those that are struggling, we must always make sure, that whatever we do, we take care of them…because if it wasn’t for their continued sacrifice, we would not be sitting here today.”